Nearby Words
Synonyms

cathartic

[kuh-thahr-tik] Origin

ca·thar·tic

[kuh-thahr-tik]
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to catharsis.
2.
Also, ca·thar·ti·cal. evacuating the bowels; purgative.
noun
3.
a purgative.

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Cathartic is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.

Origin:
1605–15; < Late Latin catharticus < Greek kathartikós fit for cleansing. See catharsis, -tic

ca·thar·ti·cal·ly, adverb
ca·thar·ti·cal·ness, noun
hy·per·ca·thar·tic, adjective
non·ca·thar·tic, adjective, noun
non·ca·thar·ti·cal, adjective
EXPAND
sem·i·ca·thar·tic, adjective
un·ca·thar·tic, adjective
COLLAPSE


3. laxative, physic.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
cathartic (kəˈθɑːtɪk)
 
adj
1.  purgative
2.  effecting catharsis
 
n
3.  a purgative drug or agent
 
ca'thartically
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

cathartic
1612, of medicines, from L. catharticus, from Gk. kathartikos "fit for cleansing, purgative," from katharsis "purging, cleansing" (see catharsis). General sense is from 1672.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

cathartic ca·thar·tic (kə-thär'tĭk)
adj.
Inducing catharsis; purgative. n.
An agent for purging the bowels, especially a laxative.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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